Friday, August 20, 2010

Info for Participants


Incoming Law Students Community Service Project

On August 20, 2010 over 250 USC Law Students along with members of the staff and faculty will take part in a very special annual event.  Simultaneously everyone will spread out over the Columbia community to provide services to local area organizations.

Why?  The Incoming Law Student Community Service Project is an opportunity for             new USC School of Law students to get to know the needs of our community             while serving as a team building exercise for peer mentor groups. We want you   to start Law School with the idea that service is a fundamental aspect of becoming a lawyer.

Who are the sponsors? This volunteer project is being organized by the Office of                                               Student Affairs, the SBA and the Pro Bono Program

When? The Incoming Law Student Community Service Project will be held on Friday,             August 20 starting at 1:30.  Everyone is to meet in the Lobby after their morning             class, have lunch, receive their t-shirt and assignment and head out to work!
           
Where? Each Peer Mentor group has been assigned a location at a local charity where    the group will engage in a variety of activities. Once the group assembles on site       tasks will be assigned by the contact person at the charity.

The community sties are:

Cayce- West Columbia/ Lexington County Library        www.lex.lib.sc.us
Irmo Branch/ Lexington County Library
Cooperative Ministries                                                  www.coopmin.org/
Habitat for Humanity ReStore                                       www.habitatcolumbus.org/
Harvest Hope Food Bank- Shop Road                            www.harvesthope.org
Harvest Hope Food Bank-Cayce office
Harvest Hope Food Bank- Key Road Warehouse
HomeWorks                                                                 www.homeworksofamerica.org
LRADAC                                                                     www.lradac.org/
Palmetto Health Foundation                               http://events.foundation.palmettohealth.org
SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center                                www.scjustice.org/
SC Department of Juvenile Justice                                www.state.sc.us/djj/
SC Legal Services                                                         www.sclegal.org/
St. Lawrence Place                                                        www.stlawrenceplace.org/cms/
Protection & Advocacy for People with Disabilities        www.pandasc.org
Richland County CASA                                                            www.rccasa.org/
Richland County Public Defender’s Office                     http://www.richlandonline.com/departments/Legal/PublicDefender.asp
Women’s Shelter                                                          www.womenshelter.org/

What will you be doing?  You may be wondering what you will be doing at these locations.  Good question.  Each organization has different needs to be addressed.  Some of you may be moving furniture, painting, cleaning out files, sorting food, yard work, or posting flyers.  You can be assured that you will work hard and be making a difference but you won’t need to use any “legal knowledge”.  With just two days of classes under your belt we don’t think you are ready for that, yet!

The Blog!   A Pro Bono Board member will be assigned to each of the service projects as a “reporter”. They will be interviewing everyone at the worksite as well as documenting the project with photos.  SMILE!

Rules?
            Yes there are a few simple rules.

            1. No flip flops; closed toed shoes are required!
                 We want to avoid any injuries

            2. Wear old clothes; you will probably get dirty. Some of you may be outside.
                The new slogan for Columbia is “Famously Hot” so be prepared.

            3. Be on time at your assigned project location.  The projects will start at 1:30 and                 conclude between 3 and 4

            4. Have fun!  This is a great opportunity to shed a bit of the stress and enjoy being                  with those who will share your law school adventure

            5. Learn something! Learn about the needs of our community, who is trying to                        address the needs of our citizens, the ethic of service and most of all learn                         more about your classmates

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